It was with a sense of eagerness that we first plugged in the expensive-feeling and eye-catchingly purple QED Performance HDMI-e SuperSpeed.

It wields all the latest HDMI 1.4 attributes, including the much-vaunted Ethernet tag. It also allows your kit to faithfully communicate a superb and natural colour balance, with detailed and virtually noise-free images.

The sound is less successful: the treble and midrange lack the necessary subtlety and finesse.

This could be a shot in the arm for an overly demure system, but for some it'll be an overdose.